To The Golf Courses of Yesteryear

JavaScript is currently disabled.Please enable it for a better experience of Jumi.JavaScript is currently disabled.Please enable it for a better experience of Jumi.

Open Search -

Course Atlas -

Please consider supporting our efforts.

Amount:

| | Hits: 3853

Northampton Golf Club, Kettering Road Course. (1893 - 1980s)

It was reported in the Northampton Mercury in November 1890 that “there is a strong probability of a golf club being started in Northampton. There are grounds at Kingsthorpe which lend themselves readily to the game”

Founded in 1893.

Old Tom Morris was involved in the design of 9-holes on the Kettering Road side of Spinney Hill in 1895 and Willie Park Jnr in the design of 18-holes in 1914. The club continued at this site until its move to Harlestone in the late 1980s.

The first annual dinner was held at the Grand Hotel. The secretary at the club at this time was Mr Hobbs.

Result of a match played against the Bedford Club in April 1895. It was stated that the match was played on the Billings Road Links, Northampton. I found no further reference to the Billings Road course, if anyone can help please contact me through the website “contact us” facility.

Northampton Golf Club

Bedford Golf Club

N Dawson

6

F H Dasent

0

W C Henderson

0

Lt Col D Broughton

4

J Haviland

3

S Fuller

0

Rev W H Deane

8

J B Forsyth

0

E Rogers Bull

0

Rev V Macdona

4

A E Anderson

6

S Fielder

0

R G Scriven

0

Rev G Apthorp

4

F Hill

3

N R Slator

0

A E Phipps

2

G Clark

0

A E Tebutt

4

Major Gen C E Sanford

0

32

12

The following match was played in November and by now the club was playing at Kettering Road, interesting to note that many of the players took part in the earlier Bedford match. The report goes on to say that the club should be congratulated on this, the first match of the season, against one of the strongest sides in the Midlands.

Northampton Golf Club

Kenilworth Golf Club

N Dawson

3

T Latham

0

B Muscott

10

F A Bainbridge

0

A F Forster

0

R Rotherham

1

W C Henderson

0

A C S Glover

2

A E Henderson

2

H O'Leary

0

A E Tebutt

0

T Day

0

E R Bull

0

T Kinmond

8

F Hill

0

R Grose

0

15

11

At the AGM held at the Stag’s Head Hotel in October 1895 it was mentioned that “A good many games have been played and the NEW GROUND seems to have given great satisfaction” which implies that the club had moved location from the earlier Billings Road Links. Following is the election of officers at the meeting; President, Earl Spencer; vice presidents, Mr C C Becke, Alderman Randall, Mr W G Hobbs; captain, Mr W C Henderson; vice captain, Mr Bruce Muscott; treasurer, Mr J E A Wyatt; secretary Mr Frank Hill.

Fire at Northampton Golf Links. Following is a report from the Northampton Mercury Friday 21st July 1899.

“A rather serious fire was discovered on Tuesday at the pavilion on the golf links on Kettering Road, Northampton. Before it could be extinguished the pretty and commodious pavilion was completely demolished. The pavilion was a wooden building 17feet by 12feet, roofed partly with wood and partly with corrugated iron, and it replete with every convenience for golfers. The fire was caused by a defective stove-pipe. The lad in attendance lit the fire as usual this morning and left the place in apparent security. A few minutes afterwards, however, the flames escaped from the stove-pipe and the roof caught fire. The manager, Mr Duncan, was informed and the Northampton Fire Brigade informed. Inspector Busby received the call at 8.33 and the tender was quickly manned and on the scene. Both property and stock were insured, but the total amount of insurance, £550, would not cover the damage”

The Northampton club button is hall marked Birmingham 1904 by Vaughtons and features the ancient Arms of Northampton. Image courtesy of Dixon Pickup.

From the Nisbet's Golf Yearbook 1905; Number of members 129, 31 Ladies; Hon. secretary - H Norman, 14 Market Square, Northampton; Captain - D P Taylor; Entrance Fee £3/3s and Subs £2/2s; Nine-holes; Professional - D Duncan; Terms for visitors - Introduction by a member - two days free, 2s/6d a day, 5s a week, 10s a month. The course consists of two fields, which were originally known as Little Switzerland, or Hills and Hollows. There are made bunkers. The greens are good and well kept. The longest hole is 357 yards.

Below is the result of a match played at Castle Ashby Golf Club (now defunct) in November 1938

Castle Ashby Golf Club

Northampton Golf Club

W Percival and D C James

0

F C Roe and A Allibone

1

R W Tester and G Ward

1

A Faulkner and E Roberts

0

F Payne and F C Whiting (half)

0

L Perrin and R Markie (half)

0

A Gilkes and W H Chapman

1

G Dazeley and T Markie

0

E F Fuller and K Waite

0

A Anderson and W Arnold

1

W Hollingsworth and A E Sear

0

W A Dunn and S N Hill

1

2

3

Just after WW2 the address was Kettering Road, Spinney Hill. The secretary was W Turner, St John’s School, Tiffield, Towcester. The professional was D McEwan and the greenkeeper J M Jones. Course records were, amateur R Catt 69, professional J M Jones 67. The 18 holes had a SSS of 73 and there was a membership of 425. Visitors’ fees 3/6 a day (intro 2/6), weekends and Bank Holidays 5/- a day (2/6). Sunday play allowed with caddies.

Just prior to the move from Kettering Road in the late 1980s the secretary was T C A Knight and the professional R Lovelady. Course records were, amateur C Cieslewicz 66 (set in 1972), professional M Gallagher 64 (1983). The 18 holes measured 6,002 yards with a SSS of 69, the membership was 600. Visitors fees were £10.

The approach to the first green.

The 18th fairway.

Above is the layout of the Kettering Road course.

Thanks to Martin Izzard for his permission to use the above images. Taken from his book Northampton Golf Club: The Competitive Golf Scene at Kettering Road and Harlestone 1969-2001. Copies are available price £20 from NGC.